Unit 3: Stop and Listen

Sing a song to children and each child respond in a loud voice as you introduce the concept of "loud."

Introduce “loud” and “quiet” as children listen for sounds and discuss the source of each sound.

Have children sit quietly outside and listen for the sounds around them and then explore the source of a sound.

Teach children a song about listening and invite them to sing along with you.

Read a story about a girl who goes on a listening walk and guide children to make connections to their own explorations of sound.

Use the “Target Letter and Word” routine to introduce the letter “Ss” and the word sound.

Have children trace sandpaper letters to help them begin to write the letter “Ss.”

Ask children to recall a sound they heard during the day and have them draw a picture of the source of the sound.

Send a Family Connection letter home with children.

Sing “Who Are You?” to children and have them respond by saying their names in a soft voice.

Ask children to think about sounds they heard on the way home or at home last night. 

Pair children, have them track down outside sounds, and help them record their observations.

Give children the opportunity to become “sound detectives” by having guess what object makes a sound they hear.

Show a video about three girls who are  tracking the sources of outdoor sounds. Encourage children to make connections after viewing.

Sing “Listen, Listen, Little Ears” and have children name something they hear.

Reread The Listening Walk by Paul Showers and have children close their eyes and imagine the different sounds the girl hears on her walk.

Construct a rebus chart with children of sounds they heard on their listening walk.

Use pictures to help children identify the letter “Ss.”

Sing “Who Are You?” to children and have them say their names in a quiet whisper then in a loud voice.

Ask children to name sounds they heard on their way home yesterday and talk about why children heard different sounds.

Ask children to share sounds they might hear when riding a bus. Sing and act out the motions to “The Wheels on the Bus.” 

Invite children to select from a set of materials to make and describe tap and scrape sounds. 

Have children make more tap and scrape sounds then invite them to mimic each other’s sounds.

Read the book Max Found Two Sticks by Jerry Pinkney. Have children use materials to create sounds like Max made in the story.

Review the letter “Ss” and the word sound. Have children make an “S” shape with their body.

Watch a Between the Lions video about the letter “Ss” as children identify the letter when it appears on the screen.

Sing “Who Are You” with children and have them clap out the syllables in their name. 

Revisit the idea that every sound has a source. Introduce the idea that every sound travels one way, or in one direction.

Have children record on a map sounds they hear outside. Talk about the source of each sound.

Have children continue to explore sounds with the tap and scrape materials.

Watch PEEP and the Big Wide World  “Sounds Like . . .” video and go on a listening adventure with Peep and his friend, Chirp.

Sing the “Wheels on the Bus.” Encourage the children to make up new lyrics for a different machine, place, or animal.

Reread Max Found Two Sticks by Jerry Pinkney, and have children tap out some of the rhythms Max makes on their thighs.

Help children identify names with the letter “Ss.”

Have children sing a song and tap out the parts of the word “lis-ten” whenever they hear it in the song.

Review sounds by playing back recordings of sounds children made while exploring.

Play a recoding of rhythmic instrumental music with a strong beat. Tap the rhythm and have children follow you.

Read a book focusing on sounds and how they are made.

Review the Sandpaper Writing Routine to help children learn to form the letter "Ss."

Watch a Between the Lions video clip about the letter “Ss.” 

Review the “Sounds We Hear” chart with children. Encourage children to share what they have learned about sound. Record any new ideas on the chart.

Review charts and maps completed during the week. Have children recall and discuss things they learned about sound this week.